Why do Minor Chords Sound Sad? The Theory of Musical Equilibration and the Emotions of Chords

Abstract: One of the most exciting areas in the field of musicology is attaining solid new insights into the correlation between music and emotions. The Theory of Musical Equilibration now presents a new perspective on this topic. The Theory states that music itself cannot convey emotions, which is to say it is no more effective than other approach to expressing feelings. Instead, music communicates processes of the will which the listener identifies with, and relating to these processes gives music its emotional content. "Music and Emotions-Research on the Theory of Musical Equilibration" is the name of the English version of the German book entitled Musik und Emotionen-Studien zur Strebetendenz Theorie. Authors Daniela and Bernd Willimek present their theory and demonstrate its validity using examples from musical literature and test results. The book was translated from the German by Laura Russell.The first part of the book explains the theory before exploring how it can be interpreted in

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; In: Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy ; 4 (2014) 2

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Musik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Mannheim
• (who): SSOAR, GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V.
• (when): 2014
• Creator: Willimek, Daniela ; Willimek, Bernd

Further information

• DOI: 10.4172/2161-0487.1000139
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023052314400132471035
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:52 AM CEST